The Noel Stranger

The Nöel Collection

Richard Paul Evans

This book can be downloaded and read in Apple Books on your Mac or iOS device.

Description

From “The King of Christmas,” Richard Paul Evans, comes the next exciting holiday novel perfect for “fans of Debbie Macomber” (Booklist) in his New York Times bestselling Noel Collection.

Maggie Walther feels like her world is imploding. Publicly humiliated after her husband, a local councilman, is arrested for bigamy, and her subsequent divorce, she has isolated herself from the world. When her only friend insists that Maggie climb out of her hole, and embrace the season to get her out of her funk, Maggie decides to put up a Christmas tree and heads off to buy one—albeit reluctantly. She is immediately taken by Andrew, the kind, handsome man who owns the Christmas tree lot and delivers her tree. She soon learns that Andrew is single and new to her city and, like her, is also starting his life anew.

As their friendship develops, Maggie slowly begins to trust again—something she never thought possible. Then, just when she thinks she has finally found happiness, she discovers a dark secret from Andrew’s past. Is there more to this stranger’s truth than meets the eye? This powerful new holiday novel from Richard Paul Evans, the “King of Christmas fiction” (TheNew York Times), explores the true power of the season, redemption, and the freedom that comes from forgiveness.

From Publishers Weekly

Sep 10, 2018 – Evans adds another installment to his large Christmas collection with this sweet second tale in the Noel Collection series (following The Noel Diary). Maggie Walther has just discovered that her husband, Clive, has been arrested for bigamy. Clive was on a shortlist of Salt Lake City mayoral candidates, making the news of his two families even more devastating and drawing Maggie deeper into the public eye. Maggie leaves her catering company in the hands of her friend and employee, Carina, as she attempts to deal with the emotional fallout of this discovery. When Christmas comes around, the fetching Andrew delivers the family's Christmas tree. Maggie is intrigued by him, and the two strike up a friendship in which he shows her a different, more rustic side of Salt Lake City and rescues her from her depression by encouraging her to live in the moment. But as their friendship begins to blossom into romance, Maggie realizes how little she knows about Andrew. When a secret from his past threatens to unravel their relationship, Maggie turns to her faith to decide if she can forgive a person for past mistakes. Evans's fans will appreciate this tale of finding the good in everyone and loving people for who they are.

Customer Reviews

Loved this book!

by
Jenlizzy76

I loved this book and didn’t want it to end! I think this is the best one yet out of all the Christmas books!

Fabulous as ever!

by
MygiftsA&L

I look forward to reading his new books this time of year, for the past few years! The stories are wonderful and I hate it when the story is over! Please continue to write these amazing stories Richard!

Not the author's best work!

by
Kris Anderson, The Avid Reader

The Noel Stranger by Richard Paul Evans takes readers to Salt Lake City, Utah. Agnetha “Maggie” Walther is shocked when she learns that her husband, Clive is a bigamist. Maggie hides in her home for the next six months to avoid the people’s looks and reporters. Her friend, Carina convinces Maggie that she needs to get out and suggests she purchase a Christmas tree. Maggie goes to the local tree lot where she meets the owner, Andrew. Andrew delivers the tree later that evening and they chat over coffee. Maggie is taken with him and cannot stop thinking about the handsome Andrew. A few days later Maggie goes back to the lot to obtain Christmas lights, and he offers to help her decorate the tree. Their friendship begins and quickly blossoms into romance. Maggie’s heart is opening as she falls in love with Andrew. But then Maggie discovers that Andrew has been not been forthcoming on his past and doubts begin to surface. Can Maggie listen to Andrew with an open mind and heart?

The Noel Stranger is the second book in The Noel Collection, but each book in the series is meant to stand on its own. While I have enjoyed other stories by Richard Paul Evans (The Christmas Box being my favorite), The Noel Stranger was a letdown. Maggie is supposed to have trust issues, but she meets Andrew and seems to instantly fall in love. Within two weeks, they are jetting off to Mexico for a vacation. I would have expected the romance to progress at a slower pace as she slowly gets to know Andrew. The Noel Stranger felt unrealistic and predictable. The story lacked depth and I was not able to connect with the characters. Maggie is a contradiction as well as selfish. Maggie has been neglecting her business for the last six months while she has been wallowing at home in self-pity (I would have been angry). She has been relying on her business assistant to run the business and she has little training (I am shocked she still has a business). The story felt contrived and flat. I rolled my eyes so often they hurt the next day. The Noel Stranger features forgiveness, love, redemption, hope, compassion, important of communication and second changes. I am giving The Noel Stranger 3 out of 5 stars. The Noel Stranger is a light, clean romance novel that is an easy and quick story to read (just not the right fit for me).